TPUFC vs Tampines Rovers
It is hard to see how the Stags will not be back at the top at the table after this game. Even with the Stags getting tired and showing it with injuries starting to hit the team. A known fact is injuries are more common when body are tired and the Stags are tired as not only are they playing more games than anybody but their coach is using a core squad that is smaller. It's not difficult to know the Stags rarely make changes to their starting lineup and the subs coming on are always the same. 14 players cannot a win championship in the modern era but they can win this game. 3-0 to the Stags

Albirex Niigata (S) vs Courts Young Lions
The Cubs are hitting form but we cannot say the White Swans are that bad at the moment either. So who do one believe in more. I cannot say one is necessary better than the other as both have shown, on their day, they can be a matched for the other. Will next Tuesday be their day ? If it is so for both than a draw is more than just reward. 2-2 draw

Geylang United vs Gombak United
Anybody following this site will know I do not trust the Bulls much but at this moment in time, one cannot trust the Eagles even more. They are dropping to the bottom 3 and looked to have no solution on how to get out of it. The Bedok side should not be thinking about collecting a win as they cannot even get a point in the first place. Their defence is conceding too many and until that is stopped, they and their fans can only hoped for the best but prepared for the worst. 2-1 to the Bulls

SAFFC vs Balestier Khalsa
This is last week preview as the game was moved to this week as I believed nothing changed even with the Tigers winning their game in midweek (It is an even worse free-falling Eagles they defeated) - Another game the Warriors should pick up full points and keep up the
pressure on the S-league race. The Tigers are on a free-fall so it will
good for the Warriors to boast their goal difference as thanks to some
disappointing performances and results they have the worst goal
difference of the top 4. It may or may not proved a difference come the
end but remember 1998 when it did. 3-0 to SAFFC

Etoile FC vs Geylang United
A lot of eyes will be on this game as the champions make their return since that Hougang incident. The French side will hoped for an easy game and they have it. Quite frankly, even if the French go on the pitch with a handicap of 10 players, I can see them beating the Eagles for a team that cannot stop conceding cannot hoped to gain anything. 2-0 to the Champions.

TPUFC vs Albirex Niigata (S)
The last time they met, it was an overwhelming victory for the White Swans with them hitting the Jaguars with a 5-0 thrashing. Let make this short, I can see them doing that again as the Jaguars have still much to learn. 5-0 to the White Swans

Tampines Rovers vs Woodlands Wellington
Anybody believe the Stags will not beat the Rams? Not many I will guess. The Rams will have to hope Duric cannot play in this match as the Stags have shown they are not comfortable playing without their only true centre forward. Without the 4-time top scorer, the Rams will have a chance but I will like to tell you Duric has only missed one league game in 3 years. It is just like buying 4D. 2-0 to the Stags.

Courts Young Lions vs TPUFC
The Cubs have been playing well and during the last time the two met, I believed the Cubs edged it and this time, it is played at Jalan Besar - which is an added advantage. Also the Cubs have a forward at last with Khariul Nizam back and scoring on his return. With goals, I have always said teams can win and the Cubs can win this one. 2-1 to the Cubs

Home United went to the top of the table after defeating Tanjong Pagar United 3-1 at Jalan Besar.

Frederic Mendy was the hero as he net a brace, with Asraf Rashid contributing the third one, after Kim Jong Oh had given the Jaguars the lead.

However, second-placed Tampines Rovers have two games in hand and they can return to the top by defeating the vanquished Jaguars next Monday.

Another side chasing the Stags are the Warriors with them crushing Woodlands Wellington 5-1 at the Woodlands stadium with a hat-trick from Farzul Nawaz.

Warriors top scorer Mislav Karoglan also chip in along with an own goal. The Rams reply came from Goh Swee Swee.

In other matches, Courts Young Lions and Balestier Khalsa won their respective matches.

The Cubs won an away match for the first time this season as they defeated Gombak United 2-1 with an own goal and the winner from Safirul Sulaiman. Hamqaamal Shah had scored for the Bulls.

As for Balestier Khalsa, they defeated fellow struggler Geylang United 3-1 at Toa Poyah. Kim Young Kwang scored a brace with the third one counted as an own goal. Amy Recha scored on his S-league debut for Geylang United.

We would like to inform you that all Great Eastern Yeo’s S.League
matches involving Hougang United FC and Etoile FC will be suspended till
the conclusion of a disciplinary hearing, with regards to the match
abandonment on Monday, 23 May 2011.

FAS President Mr Zainudin
Nordin said: “We have a zero tolerance policy when it comes to violent
conduct both on and off the pitch. FAS has started investigations and
will pursue the matter thoroughly. Any players and officials found
guilty of misconduct will be severely dealt with.”

We have
written to both clubs involved in the incident to submit their reports
and a disciplinary hearing has been scheduled for Friday, 3 June 2011.

With PSSI (Indonesia FA) set to be banned by FIFA within the coming days, it will not be able to host any FIFA-sanctioned events other than it own domestic league.

While every media report indicate Indonesia World Cup qualifiers against Turkmenistan in July to be the first one to see Indonesia missed out on, there is the ASEAN Under-23 championship before that which is even more tricky.

Indonesia is the ASEAN Under-23 championship host yet they will be banned from hosting any football event so how can the competition go ahead?

In an unprecedented
move, match officials were forced to abandon the tie between hosts
Hougang United and defending champions Etoile FC even before kick-off,
after players from both teams started fighting during the warm-up
session.

While details were sketchy, witnesses MediaCorp spoke to
said the action resembled a gang fight, with players chasing each other
and some rushing onto the terraces.

They said Etoile players
rushed to the Hougang side of the pitch after words were exchanged
between a player each from the two teams over a ball that accidentally
kicked into the Hougang warm-up area.

A scuffle then broke out between the players, which one eyewitness said lasted as long as eight minutes.

New Hougang Member of Parliament Yaw Shin Leong was in the stands.

A Hougang player had to be restrained from swinging a chair at one of his opponents, said another witness.

With training cones and balls still left on the pitch, the players were instructed to go to their respective dressing rooms.

After consulting the teams and the referee, match commissioner A. Raamasamy called off the game.

FAS
deputy director (marketing and competitions) Ridzal Saat, said: "We do
not condone any sort of violence, more so anything that is pre-match. We
will conduct a full investigation to find out what actually happened.

"This
is something we do not want in our game, and following investigations,
any guilty parties, if there are, will be severely dealt with. This is
the first instance since the S-League was inaugurated in 1996 that a
match has been abandoned prior to kick-off due to disciplinary issues.

It
comes eight-and-a-half months since the fight between players from the
Young Lions and Beijing Guoan last season, which resulted in a total of
16 players (six from the Young Lions, 10 from Beijing Guoan) being
banned between four to 12 months, or fined.

Observers said
Monday night's fracas could well have been a spillover from a previous
altercation at Queenstown Stadium on March 7, when the teams met in the
S-League for the first time this season.

According to a report on a Hougang fansite, a "mini-brawl" had broken out after the match, which Etoile won 4-2.

The S-League did not take action then as the clubs dealt with the matter internally.

When
contacted, Bill Ng, chairman of Hougang United FC,
said: "I will conduct a full investigation on our side and cooperate
with the Football Association of Singapore fully. I do not tolerate
violence and if any of our players are at fault, we will take strong
disciplinary action and will not even hesitate to drop them from our
squad.

"The incident today is a pity because we had a good crowd, about 2,000, who wanted to watch a good game."

Hougang United vs Etoile FC
The Cheetahs have won a famous win over two-times champions Tampines Rovers last week but I can tell you the biggest cheers could have come from their opponents this week. Thanks to that result, the champions can now close the gap at the top to within one point as they have two games in hand. It will have to start with Hougang though and last week win could have boasted their morale so the champions can expect a tough battle. The champions are starting to gel thus can still walk away from Hougang with full points but it will not be easy. 3-1 to Etoile FC

Gombak United vs Courts Young Lions
A match of two contrasting style with the home side emphasizing physical football while the away team is seeking to learn a more technical side of the game. I have hoped the Bulls will start to play more like the away side one day but obvious it will not start against the Cubs. Their style will be a challenge to any team as they have some big guns out there in their attack and defence who could out muscle men older than the Cubs, yet alone the Cubs. It will be a physical battle and one the Cubs will learn from. 2-1 to Gombak

Balestier Khalsa vs Geylang United
The Tigers are fading away and their coach Salim Moin have acknowledged he has to put a stop to that. It is not an easy task as the first team he has put out in the last few weeks were the best the Tigers can offer so who can he turn to. That is why he has to know why a team which has collected 13 points in their first 10 matches (A good result considering their squad) have now gone haywire and is on the end of a thrashing match after match. 2-1 to Geylang

Woodlands Wellington vs SAFFC
The Warriors must be hoping it is not the repeat of the Tanjong Pagar nightmare and it should not reach that point. If they have not been woken up by that result then the warning from their management after that should be good enough as their jobs is on the line if they fucked up again. 4-0 to SAFFC

Etoile FC vs Albirex Niigata (S)
The champions have their second difficult task on their hands this week. It is Albirex Niigata (S), a side who have shown they can take on the big boys on their day. Will it be their day on Thursday? It could well be as they have boasted by their win over SAFFC and Home United. And the champions just have a tough encounter earlier this week so they will be extended by that. 2-2 draw

Home United vs TPUFC
The Protectors need an easy game after their disappointment last week when they have the chance to go top but failed. The Jaguars looked that part but the last time I wrote that SAFFC need an easy prey and the jaguars looked that part, the Jaguars shocked the whole football world by nearly defeating the Warriors and the eight-time champions only escaped with a point. Surely it will not happened again and it should not. The Protectors want to be champions then it time to pick up points again. 4-0 to Home

Courts Young Lions vs Hougang United
The Cubs and Cheetahs will expect a good result against each other. Both are within their rights to believe they can defeat each other as both have shown they can get good results on their day. Considering the Cubs victories over the Eagles and Tigers have come at Jalan Besar, the edge must be with them. 2-1 to Courts Young Lions

SAFFC vs Balestier Khalsa
Another game the Warriors should pick up full points and keep up the pressure on the S-league race. The Tigers are on a free-fall so it will good for the Warriors to boast their goal difference as thanks to some disappointing performances and results they have the worst goal difference of the top 4. It may or may not proved a difference come the end but remember 1998 when it did. 3-0 to SAFFC

Look beyond the Fandi Ahmads and the Indra Sahdans, and explore a multitude of possibilities in other football-related jobs.

That
is the message Balestier Khalsa vice-chairman S. Thavaneson had for
students from the Institute of Technical Education, as the club signed a
Letter of Collaboration with ITE College Central at its Bishan campus
on Thursday morning.

The Letter of Collaboration formalises the
partnership between Balestier and ITE College Central for the next two
years, which will see them embark on a new programme called Football 4
Fitness (F4F).

The programme will be aimed at providing a safe
and enjoyable environment for participants to develop football skills
and fitness, and students with leadership qualities will be trained as
role models who can run their football Co-Curricular Activities club at
the various campuses.

While many people may eventually look at
pursuing a playing career, as Fandi and Indra – both of whom are ITE
alumni – had done with much success, Thavaneson highlighted the
availability of a wide range of jobs available with the expansion of
professional football.

Speaking to an auditorium filled with
about 400 ITE College Central students, he urged them to take these
other possibilities into serious consideration.

“Football should be seen as more than just 22 players on the field kicking a ball,” he said in his address to the students.

“For
us, this is an investment for the future, and we should look at
football beyond the game. Many of you can develop to become professional
players, but you can also take the road to coaching or refereeing, or
become administrators, or become events or marketing people.

“Depending
on your course of study, there is always some opportunity out there for
you. I would urge all of you to engage the clubs, get involved with
them, approach them to do vacation training you’ll be paid for, so that
you can understand what the industry can offer you.

“I can assure
you that the clubs will extend a helping hand for you to achieve your
goals in life. The opportunities are there; all you’ve got to do is work
hard, grab those opportunities, and make a life for yourselves.”

Thavaneson
reiterated the point when speaking to the press afterwards as he
furnished more details of the F4F programme, which will be spearheaded
by Balestier Prime League coach Nasaruddin Jalil.

Noting the long
line of Singapore internationals who have come through the ITE’s ranks,
dating back from its previous incarnation as the Vocational and
Industrial Training Board, he stressed the necessity of drawing upon
this resource to build the future of Singapore football.

“We
wanted to find out how we could, as a club, benefit from the huge talent
pool that ITE has,” he said, explaining the origins of the partnership.

“If
you look at players at club and national level, many have actually been
ITE students. Plus, we now see that football needs more
non-footballers, and we want to take the game down to the grassroots and
extend its reach to people.

“Funding for this project will come
from the club, and ITE will provide the infrastructure, the facilities.
It may cost us about $100,000 a year, but we have made provisions for
this – the coaches and everything else will be undertaken and paid for
by the club.

“But I don’t look at it in terms of the club, I look
at it in terms of Singapore football. If we can do something that will
develop talents and help bring football into a higher profile, it can
only be good for everybody involved in football.

“I do not want
this to be exclusive to us, and I will be the first to say we cannot
handle all the ITE students in Singapore,” he added.

“But between
four to five clubs, we can harness the talent from all the ITEs. I can
tell you, if that happens, it’s going to be one fantastic opportunity.”

Thavaneson
also spoke on the benefits the collaboration will bring to ITE College
Central and its student population, which currently stands at
approximately 8,500.

This, he said, includes those who may have tried and failed to realise their dream of becoming professional football players.

“Maybe a guy cannot make it as a footballer, but football can help increase his level of fitness,” he remarked.

“A
fit guy makes a better student and a better worker who won’t slouch and
skive at work, so that develops good attitudes. In addition, when kids
get together into any sport, there are so many intangible benefits like
unity, cohesion, mixing between races.

“Sports are the greatest
binding factor, I can tell you, when you want to bring youths together.
This programme can open opportunities to youths, and I want to get them
in early and show them the possibilities.

“Maybe the boy or girl
will say at the end of the day that football is not for him, but that’s
fine, because he or she would still have got some training that will
help him or her in future. That way, we will have done our social duty
too, to help them build their careers.”

ITE College Central
principal Tan Seng Hua was pleased to formalise the institute’s
relationship with Balestier, in a move that could pave a way for the
other ITE Colleges to follow.

“This marks a new milestone in the development of football in ITE,” he told sleague.com.

“All
this while, we have been supporting each other in terms of training
venues, coaching and so on. The relationship is not sudden, it has been
cultivated over time, and both parties feel we can bring more to a
common platform through this Letter of Collaboration.

“Initial
indications are that this will be a success, because in the past, though
many were interested in football, they were not coming forward. Now,
we’ve created a common platform for over 800 members, and I hope to
improve the students’ fitness and instill professional conduct.

“Once
this programme proves to be successful, we can open the door to having
students from the other two ITE Colleges, namely ITE College East and
ITE College West. In the long run, this is part of our efforts to ensure
there is an ecosystem to develop our talents.”

FAS President
Zainudin Nordin, who is also Mayor for Central Singapore District and
Member of Parliament for Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC, was present at the event
to witness the signing of the Letter of Collaboration.

He
expressed his delight at the initiative shown by the Balestier
management, led by chairman Balbeer Singh Mangat and vice-chairmen
Jagjit Singh and Thavaneson, in turning this project into reality.

This
was, according to him, a reflection of the desire S.League clubs have
to build connections with educational institutions and other community
bodies – which he encouraged them to pursue.

“I wouldn’t want to
take credit for what Mr. Thavaneson, Balbeer and Jagjit have spoken to
me about for quite some time,” he said in response to a question on
whether FAS had pushed for the project.

“The signing of the LOC
marks, in my view, a very important effort from the club. With the
objectives in mind, I am very glad that clubs are beginning to open up
their minds and understand that they need to engage the community in
different and innovative ways.

“I think none of them have stopped
doing this. All of them have been doing it in their own ways, with
primary and secondary schools, maybe, but with this LOC, I am positive
people will see this idea of collaboration as a good thing to explore.

“It’s
not impossible to engage others like private institutions – there are
many out there that are actively trying to develop their students. There
are many communities and clusters to engage, and by this example, I
would encourage others to do the same.

“Many of our football talents come through the ITE path, but it doesn’t stop us from seeing other possibilities,” he noted.

“So
polytechnics, universities and other institutions, in my view, have
talents too, and we should not ignore their ability to be involved.
Building of connections will, I think, happen over time, and by this
pioneering effort by ITE and Balestier, people will start to realise
things can happen.”

The S-league big guns marches on as Tampines Rovers, Home United and Etoile FC all recorded victories.

Tampines Rovers defeated Albirex Niigata (S) 3-1, at Tampines Stadium, with goals from Shahdan Sulaiman and Aleksandar Duric. The Stags opener was an own goal while the White Swans reply came from Yosuke Saito.

For Home United, they defeated Hougang United 4-2, at Bishan Stadium, with goals from Qiu Li, Frederic Mendy and a brace from Firdaus Idros. Hougang reply was from Diallo Mamadou and an own goal.

The champions kept pace with the two front runners by defeating Gombak United 2-0, at Queenstown Stadium, thanks to Jonathan Toto and Hicham Bouchemlal.

In between these matches, Tanjong Pagar United defeated Woodlands Wellington 1-0 at Woodlands Stadium with a goal from Takaya Kawanabe.

Saturday, May 21, 2011

Writing this point of view here as I believe it is not right to start a debate in other people blog.

To be honest, I wanted to write this POV article long ago but have, previously, decided to wait until the National team was announced.

The reason was I expected unhappiness regardless of whom Raddy choose as frankly everybody have a different set of players they want.

But why wait as frankly it will be drowned out by with everybody telling us what is wrong with that selected squad.

I do not want to talk about the squad I want but rather simple things called working relationship and team before self.

If people click the link above, they will noted I do not agreed with the talks that it was Raddy ego that lead to players ban as I remember on Kallangroar, there was once a debate on players expellation and I can tell you it is far more complex.

The turth is barring, Goh Tat Chuan, Raddy has recalled all players who had gotten into trouble at least once and if it was ego stopping him, then more names than the one commonly mentioned will have been used as an example.

Here are a brief summary of players banned (and if there are more, you can tell me and I can check records I keep and take note, I am not talking who is wrong in those situation as both sides have their own stories)

Tan Kim Leng - Banned after Malaysia-Singapore friendly after he refused to leave the field due to red card and causing incident on the field. Recalled before the Tiger Cup 04/05.

Agu Casmir - Banned for the Persija Jakarta incident. Out for a year.

Masrezwan Masturi - Banned due to breaking of curfew before curial ACQ. Had been recalled to the National Team

Goh Tat Chuan - Banned due to breaking of curfew before curial ACQ. Had never been recalled to the National Team

Noh Alam Shah - Banned after the Singapore Cup Final attack on National teammate Bennet. Banned until Raddy talk to Bennet.

Ahmad Latiff - Banned for refusing to train. Recalled before the Tiger Cup 04/05 but chose to snub call-up and claimed that was a trial in Europe. Found to be false and ban continue. Recalled to National Team for ACQ but make trouble on his first game back as he refused orders and caused damages to hotel room. Banned ever since.

Ahmad Latiff will be long gone even under any coach as he was not banned just once but three times and I am not counting the rest of the time under previous coaches.

Of course some will say he is reformed and frankly that come to the part of working relationship I was going to talk about.

I had wrote (in the comment section in that link) that Ahmad Latiff had attacked Raddy in the public domain and if people remembered those press reports, just a few months ago, they will understand what I say.

And he cannot be misquoted as he was on it for almost a week.

I believed some who are reading this are working people, let imaged that in the working environment in your company, a person openly whacked the superior by claiming he hoped he will be sacked over a sustained period, what kind of working relationship can be form between the subordinate and the superior.

Especially as that person is already known to have a difficult with other superiors before him.

For if Raddy want to hit back, for those critics who claimed those 'banned' players have stories about his 'mistreatment' of them, we can be sure our national coach will have stories, as juicy as their, about them as well.

But what will it served to Singapore and that is where I come to the other part about team before self.

As mentioned, only Goh Tat Chuan has never been recalled after being expelled and who is right or wrong in that incident is not important as how do one judged but what is important - for me - is the reaction afterwards.

By willing to comment to the media on the eve of an important ACQ, he was putting self before team as Raddy was trying to focus his team on the task ahead and to have somebody fanning another situation in the public eye was a hit below the belt.

It will not have killed Goh to have waited for we have seem how important it is in football to put team before self, not just because it is a team sport, but rather the sum of a collective team is better than individuals at team with Manchester United a prime example this season.

Alex Ferguson claimed this was his best team and he was right in a way as it was a team, that has less talent in the eyes of it critics but more team spirit than one can claimed about other teams, that claimed victory.

It did not come easily as over five years, the Scotman have thrown out players like Jaap Stam, Ruud Van Nistelrooy, Roy Keane etc to preserve the team and for those remaining he make sure they understood it was team before self.

For his actions, I can tell you the comments I have seem about Raddy matches that was spoken about Alex Ferguson then with many telling him he lost it and it was time to go. (This was the the nicest words then)

Indeed, we can see why Ferguson was so successful as he always chose players who put team before self and rid those who do not posses it with example from Scholes, Giggs, Schmeichel and Andy Cole; with them having clashed with the Scotman.

But those stories are leaked out by the players only years after it happened and when they have no consequences on the team.

This helped to maintain the team spirit and more importantly allowed the players to maintain working relationship with their manager behind closed door.

So when compared to Goh situation one can see why Raddy never selected him again.

A working relationship is not easy to maintain for if a player like Scholes, who is known to be mild-tempered and easy going, can have a clash with his manager we do not need it to come out into the open.

That is why players also have a responsibility to know when they can speak as they are public figures and are no longer children anymore for Ahmad Latiff is only 1 year younger than me.

Once spoken, it is difficult to salvage any situation thus they should bear those consequences as one has to ask those players - Do have spoken out then, what did they hoped to achieve?

That is why action to show your coach you are indeed 'reformed' are important and going to the press to denounce your coach is not one of them .

Masrezwan Masturi can give a talk on that as he was as responsible as the Manchester United players for the press have try to contact him after the incident for quotes but he was in their words uncontactable and remain up to this day tight-lipped.

In summary, Raddy do not need my help to name this squad as he should know who he can work with and who are those who put team before self.

And if he believed he can or cannot work with the player people want to return then one should accept it as he is the coach and will bear any consequences.

That is good enough for me for building a team with at least over 20 individuals is complex and he has to choose players who are willing to work with him and the team.

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Recently there are section of the fans who are pushing for all S-league matches to be on weekend however I do not believe it is the time yet.

They are not wrong to push for it but I have always believed the corporate side also have to be taken into account.

Especially, as the corporate side has been willing to fork out the needed money the S-league clubs had wanted and which, in all honestly, the clubs are unlikely to find elsewhere.

In addition, pushing all the games to weekend will not be the miracle cure some believed; just like when sections of the fans wanted games to be on weekend afternoon as they told us it could work by giving us local games and then foreign ones.

Now, almost three months into the test, some are expressing doubts with what looked good on paper (although I never liked it) not translated into reality with the weather just one of the main bugger for talks that the BPL fans will turn up is not happening.

The reality is Singapore is not a sport nation thus fans (especially those foreign clubs ones) are not willing to bear with 'hardship' other than the local hardcore.

It will not changed in the near future so any changes to the S-league have to be practical for that moment in time in my view.

ISL is a good example, there were a number of changes three years, back in 2009, when the league was reformed but now it is cracking up with clubs unable to feed itself - even the rich ones like Persija Jakarta.

We have to note that ASEAN football is still in the stone age when we are talking sport business and even the Asian top dog in sport business, J-league, have not attracted the corporate fans or as Roy Keane called them - prawn sandwich brigade.

They are the cash cow in sport business for when somebody spend - what many have to earn over many years - for a VIP box which seat just a few people, we can see how much they add to the revenue.

The Suzuki Cup Final second leg last year in Indonesia was a showcase as the Indonesian VIPs scoop up the tickets despite it being priced much higher than regular and they (those VIP fans) did not feel the pinch.

Is S-league at that stage?

No, and one cannot find them in ASEAN for honestly take away the corporate help in even the booming TPL, as the Thai Port case showed, and it will take years to rebuild - if it is even possible to rebuild in the first place as whether we like it or not, the modern age of football need money, and tons of it, to have a beginning now.

And there have been a compromise (Let remember just a few years ago not a single S-league match was scheduled for weekend no matter what) by the corporate side for more weekend games have been scheduled than previous seasons.

I am willing to accept that as looking at the fixtures, I only hoped that in coming seasons, baring a few weekend, all weekend should at least have one game as this season, there were still certain weekend when I feel S-league should have scheduled games.

But it is a step in the right direction and the changes is at a pace where it would not cause a collapse for it have been as fair as possible to all parties.

We should not rush things for A-league try to caught up with J-league in five years and is now backtracking as they admitted they overextended themselves.

Albirex Niigata FC (Singapore) will join forces with club apparel sponsors adidas in celebrating the family this coming weekend.

The
club’s Saturday evening clash with title rivals Home United at Jurong
East Stadium will be presented as adidas Family Day, a day for football
fans to bring their family out and enjoy a weekend together watching
some exciting football.

To celebrate the occasion, Albirex will
be giving free entry to families or groups of three and above if all
members wear adidas tops (including shirts and jerseys) to the match.

That
is only the beginning, as individuals and families can take part in the
Most Ardent adidas Fan contests for both categories and win adidas
vouchers worth up to S$250.

Participation in the contest is
simple. Individuals or families simply have to present their match
tickets or season passes before half-time to the Albirex staff at the
contest booth, which will be on the second floor at Jurong East Stadium,
and fill up an entry form by entering their names and contact numbers.

The
Albirex staff will then count the number of adidas items worn by the
individual or group of contestants, including shirts, pants, socks,
headbands, watches and other products. Each type of product worn scores
one point, eg. a fan who wears two adidas wristbands is considered to
have scored one point for the wristbands.

Fans wearing the 2011 Albirex adidas jersey will score three points for the jersey instead of one.

After
tabulating the scores of all contestants, the respective winners of the
individual and family categories will be announced at the end of the
match. If the winner is not present in the stands, the prize would go to
a runner-up. In the event of a tie, the prize money of S$100 for
individuals and S$250 for families will be divided equally.

So
wait no further! Put on all your adidas garb and bring your family to
the White Swans’ home match against the Protectors this Saturday!

Balestier Khalsa Football Club and Central Singapore
Community Development Council are pleased to jointly announce that the
Central Singapore Youth Football Developmental Programme, known as Free
Kicks, is now open for registration for boys and girls aged between
seven and 15 (as of 1 January 2011).

The Free Kicks Programme is
Balestier Khalsa’s community football programme for children, and is
regularly held on Sundays to give them a chance to learn some basics of
the game and develop a healthy and sporting lifestyle.

Commencement Date: 10 April 2011End of Programme: 25 March 2012Important Event for this Programme: Mayor’s Shield on 4 March 2012 and 11 March 2012

Provided:
Successful participant will be provided with one full set of Umbro
Jersey with printing. On every training session or tournament matches,
the participant must put on the Jersey, together with his or her own
shinpads and boots.

Terms and Conditions for the programme are available upon request.

For
registration, please fill up the application & parental consent
forms available upon request at Balestier Khalsa’s club office, and
enclose cash payment of S$50.00 to Balestier Khalsa personally.

Each
participant must attain at least 75% attendance of the weekly trainings
each month. Participants with no valid reasons for being absent and
those who display poor conduct and discipline will be penalised
accordingly. No refund of registration fee or appeal will be entertained
should the participant be withdrawn from the programme.

While the programme has already commenced, registration remains open at this point in time.

Due
to limited vacancies, registration for the programme is on a
first-come-first-serve basis. The organisers will have the final
decision on the eligibility of all applicants for the programme.

Should all vacancies be filled, the unsuccessful applicants will be placed on a waiting list.

Home United vs Hougang United
Some are looking at Hougang United recent good run and hoping they can take on the Protectors. I am not convinced as I give a big discount on their good run for two of those matches included Woodlands Wellington and TPUFC (Enough said). The Protectors are a top team for a reason and they can take on the likes of Cheetah on an off day and still come out of it with full points and at this point in time, the Protectors are on their own good run - 4 wins in a row. 4-0 to Home

Woodlands Wellington vs TPUFC
Here is a chance for the Rams to put some distance between them and the Jaguars. They are likely to take it as one thing they have over the Jaguars are that their ranks are filled with more experienced campaigners. This should till the balance to the Rams as frankly both are equally bad but as least the Rams have shown they can get a win while the Jaguars are still searching for it. 2-1 to the Rams

Etoile FC vs Gombak United
The champions have lost half their encounters against the Bulls. So what is the format why the Bulls are so successful? I would say the results of those games tell us a lot. To this point, only 3 goals have been scored between them. The Bulls ultra-defensive stand have meant the champions have a hard time breaking through especially as the Bulls enjoyed a physical style of play which the champions are known to dislike. I cannot see why the Bulls will abandon that stand in this game especially as they worked against the champions. 0-0 draw

Hougang United vs Tampines Rovers
After the Protectors game, the Cheetah next encounter is no less easier as the Stags will be looking for full points and they will be in no mood to show any mercy. Especially as the Stags need to stack up the points now for the Protectors and Etoile appear to have gel and both are hitting form so they will be chasing the champions even more ferociously. The Stags have a buffer but it can easily disappear as the Stags still have to meet the other contenders two more times. So the game against the middle-tiers are important as they cannot afford to drop unnecessary points. 3-0 to the Stags

SAFFC vs Geylang United
The Warriors title challenge is hanging by a thread. Anymore disappointing performances like the ones against Albirex and especially TPUFC and their league season is over. We cannot say they can still challenge for second place or third as they are judged on the S-league crown. That is why the SAFFC management was willing to tell the players to pack up if they do not bucked as why pay them an extra six months salary to fight for two or third. The Warriors are eight-time champions and only the crown is worth the fight. The players have been warned. 3-0 to the Warriors

Courts Young Lions vs Balestier Khalsa
Both teams are in need of pick-me-up game and both may view the other as that type of team. The Cubs have little firepower until Khariul Nizam return while the Tigers have lost their will (According to the Tigers coach). A game that I cannot see any difference between both sides. 1-1 draw

Albirex Niigata (S) vs Home United
The Protectors have no time to rest now as the Stags still have a buffer of 5 points so the Bishan side must win every games to keep pace with the leaders. Albirex Niigata (S) is a decent side but one which the Protectors have no excuse not to walk away with all three points. To be champions, the Protectors must show their desires and hunger and kill off the likes of Albirex. 3-1 to Home

After two consecutive poor performances - a 6-3 thumping at the hands of Albirex Niigata and shocking 2-2 draw with unfancied Tanjong Pagar United - have enraged officials of eight-time S-League champions SAFFC.

And the club may ring in the changes when the mid-season transfer window opens in a month's time.

According to MediaCorp, after the draw with Tanjong Pagar, SAFFC general manager Kok Wai Leong told the players they were welcome to leave the club in the transfer window starting June 13.

Kok statement appeared to have rallied the Warriors as SAFFC players confirmed that Kok had harsh words for the team, and they felt that the manager was entitled to his statements.

One player admitted the team can lose but not in the fashion they have been doing in their last two matches as they had players who went down without a fight.

Acting in the same fashion was the Tigers management as head coach Salim Moin was quoted in the media that he will not accept anymore meekly performances from his team and if they do not show courage and fight, then they will not be in his team

The Tigers have lost their last three games but more importantly is the fact they have conceded 14 goals and the last crushing defeat - 0-4 against Etoile FC - appear to have been the last the coach will accept with the team underperforming.

One of the last time management step in to warn players to buck up was back in the 2004 season with Tampines Rovers going as far as to print out warning letters to the players after a 4-0 defeat at the hands of the Young Lions.

It worked though as the Stags then went on a 12-match winning streak to win the league championship.

SAFFC could be hoping for that while the Tigers will be wishing for less but is surely seeking an improved performance.

Home United have cut Tampines Rovers lead at the top to two points after crushing Gombak United 4-1.

The Protectors goals came from Shi Jia Yi, who scored a brace, Qiu Li and Firdaus Idros.

The Bulls sole reply was from Chang Jo Yoon.

In other matches, champions Etoile FC also showcased their championship creditability by crushing Balestier Khalsa 4-0 in a match they barely broke a sweat while dwellers Woodlands Wellington finally won a match as they defeated Courts Young Lions 2-1 .

The French side goals were from Maxime Belouet, Theo Raymond and a brace from Jonathan Toto.

The Cubs goal was from Fazli Ayob while the Rams goals came from Goh Swee Swee and Leonardo Alexio.

Courts Young Lions vs Geylang United
The Eagles had a terrible first round no matter how one looked at it. They were the only side, outside of bottom 3, to lose to the bottom 3 - Courts Young Lions - and the only side to draw - Woodlands Wellington - with them as well. Now is the time to redeem. It is really win or bust as nobody will accept anything but an Eagles victory. 2-1 to Geylang United

Albirex Niigata (S) vs Woodlands Wellington
How can the White Swans not win this one. It is Woodlands Wellington. Virtually everybody is collecting points, and goals, against them. And the Rams can do nothing about it as they are that poor. 3-0 to Albirex Niigata (S)

TPUFC vs SAFFC
The last of the easy one to predict. It take a brave man to believe the Jaguars will take a point (Let not be crazy and say they can even win) from this one. The Warriors need an easy match to get back on track after their disappointing thrashing at the hand of Albirex Niigata (S) and there is no easier match. Time to rack up the goals to improve their goal difference again. 4-0 to Warriors

Gombak United vs Home United
The Bulls are not an easy side to play against but the Protectors need the win. They pull a couple point back last time out and if they failed to beat the Bulls, it is back to square one again. But it should not affect the way the Protectors approach the game as knowing the Bulls, they are not going to come out of their shell anyway. The Protectors have to come out to attack and frankly take their chances to build up a lead as the Bulls are always dangerous on their (limited) set-pieces. 3-0 to Home United

Balestier Khalsa vs Etoile FC
What has happen to the Tigers. 10 goals conceded in 2 games after just 8 in their first 10 games. They have a chance to set it up well against the champions. The French have not played in nearly 2 weeks and it could be a negative as they will need to rebuild their momentum but be warily as it could be a positive as well as they are well-rested and will have studied why the Stags and Protectors have racked up the goals against the Tigers. 2-0 to the Champions

Courts Young Lions vs Woodlands Wellington
It is a match the Rams will look to as this will represent one the chances to rack up a point, minimum, but should in reality be their best shot at 3 points for a while. The Cubs main forward Khariul Nizam is not yet back from his suspension so they have no threat to their attack as the other forwards are all in their first season or second one (if one count the first or two games they played as one season). The problem is whether they will take it as the fact they have nobody with more than 1 goal tell us much about the Rams attack. But there is no better chance even if it start at the 'inhumane' time Rams coach tell us. 1-0 to Woodlands Wellington

Tampines Rovers vs Albirex Niigata (S)
Are the Stags getting tired? I would say yes. They are humans after all. But there is no restbite as the AFC Cup campaign continue and the Singapore Cup is coming up so this will have an effect on their league campaign sooner or later. One main reason is that the Stags are only using a mainstay of around 14 players for their campaign so far. This will impact their regulars and the most worrying is the sloe forward line (Duric). While the Stags may have seem all their outfield players score a goal, one, if they looked in more details, will note their Jurong East opponents have spread their goals among themselves more evenly so there are players coming in if one is suspended or injured. I am not sure the Stags have anybody who can come in for Duric. 2-2 draw

While the battle for the knockout stage is over, top place, which give the winner home advantage in the round of 16 which is one leg, is still up for grab and Tampines should be temped to do well in Thailand.

Tampines Rovers will have to win in Thailand to top the group as Thai champions Muang Thong United have a better goal difference.

Home United vs Balestier Khalsa
The Protectors cannot afford to drop any point as the second round begin and they should not - in this game at least. Yes the Tigers are difficult to beat but they are one of the games which are winnable but is certainly a banana skin. If they dropped the points here and in the end it cost them the championship, the Protectors have nobody to blame but themselves. Finishing second in this era mean little and that is the harsh truth. 2-0 to Home

Woodlands Wellington vs Hougang United
Rams coach Balasubramaniam noted he will try to ring in the changes so that his team can gain points in the second round onwards. To be honest, I am not sure what he can changed. Defensively, the Rams are good enough but once it come to attack, they suck to the core. And he can do nothing as the midfield do not have anybody good enough to hold onto the ball and play it around and their strikers do not put fear into the heart of any opposition defence. The Rams are destined to be in the bottom three. 0-0 draw.

Tampines Rovers vs Gombak United
Would Tampines had hoped it was one of the team whose game was postponed? Hard to say as they have the momentum now but facing the Bulls is no easy feat and it come after the Stags had once again had a midweek game, it will be tiring. They need a man like Duric to break down a side like the Bulls. It tough and they are humans so the Bulls could once again take something from the game against the Stags. 1-1 draw